How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe with a Limited Budget

New to sustainable fashion and a little wary of prices?! I understand not all sustainable and ethical clothing brands are affordable to everyone. Unfortunately, to pay fair wages and use eco-friendly materials, the price will always be greater than what you find at your usual fast fashion stores (you can read reasons to quit fast fashion here). We have been taught fashion is disposable and cheap, but in actuality, this notion is ruining our planet and continuing a cycle of poverty for millions all over the world. If we can slow down our purchases and reattach value to our clothing, we can build more sustainable closets.

The Most Inexpensive Way to Shop Sustainably:

Second-Hand

Whenever someone says to me, ‘I can’t afford to shop sustainably,’ I always tell them, yes, you totally can! Sometimes we have this idea sustainable fashion is just new brands, but the clothes which have already been made are indeed sustainable. We should use what is already created. The best part about secondhand shopping, you can do it in so many different ways. From swapping with friends to thrifting at local shops, obtaining secondhand clothing is a wonderful way to build a sustainable closet without dropping a lot of money. I recently wrote a post about the Best Online Thrift Stores, which showcases a few affordable places to visit. We are also currently putting together our favorite places to rent clothing if you need something more formal or a piece you know you won’t wear more than a few times.

& Love what you have!

Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands:

There are a couple brands which immediately come to mind when discussing affordable sustainable fashion. These brands have products well under $100.

PACT

This brand started out with just underwear, but has since expanded their collection to include a wide range of basic apparel for the whole family. Everything is made out of certified GOTS organic cotton in Fair Trade USA certified factories, dyed with non-toxic chemicals, and packaged in recycled and compostable materials. Plus, they have carbon offset shipping and they have a donation program to help circulate your used clothes when you’re finished with them.

THOUGHT

Thought carries a variety of clothing, from dresses you can wear to the office to loungewear and comfy socks if you’re chilling (or working) at home. They use mostly eco-conscious materials like organic cotton and use zero plastic in their packaging. Thought does carry some products made from more conventional materials (as of right now!), so just be sure to check before buying!

Warp + Weft

If you are looking for affordable denim (all are priced under $100) for the entire family, this is exactly the brand you need to check out. They have tons of different styles, and I absolutely love my pair. Warp + Weft recently launched an underwear line, as well! Plus, they have inclusive sizing from 00-24 - even a maternity line!

TENTREE

So far, Tentree has planted over 43 MILLION trees! Their “earth-first” apparel is made ethically out of eco-conscious fabrics like organic cotton, recycled polyester, TENCEL, and hemp. Not only that, but they try to make their clothing as accessible as possible when it comes to sizing and pricing. In addition to apparel and accessories, you can also buy carbon offsets for your own personal lifestyle right on their site!

BOODY

I’m usually not a big fan of showcasing bamboo fabric on my blog. It’s known to have a harsh textile process, but some brands use closed-loop systems and zero-waste initiatives like Boody so I’m behind this!! Honestly, bamboo feels amazing on, & I don’t want to give it up completely. This brand is very comfortable, & the prices are really great.

I, also, have a few lists you can go through - not all brands would be considered super affordable, but there is more to choose from. PRO TIP: sign up for their newsletters & always look out for sales and discounts!

THOUGHT OUT ‘INVESTMENT-Type’ PURCHASES:

The majority of sustainable fashion brands you find would go under this category of shopping. Dresses will most likely be $100-250, blouses $70-100, and pants $125+. A lot of them probably work with small artisan groups, garments may take longer to make, or use materials that have a higher price point. I think what’s essential about the brands I share here is their transparency. They aren’t trying to make an enormous profit off of you. The prices are genuine and fair. If you can afford a dress over $100, give it to the brands who are doing their best to be sustainable. It’s insane how even the prominent named designers still don’t practice sustainability as much as they should, and they can charge hundreds (if not thousands) more for their name. I’ve spent so many hours making sure the brands I put on this website are honest about what they do.

If you are able to spend $50 on a blouse or $100 on a pair of pants, you may want to check out these posts:

I think we can all agree the word ‘affordable’ is quite subjective. We all can afford different price points, but we still have to have some sort of standard set in place where things can’t be so cheap we disregard people and the planet.

You may also be interested in:

Do you have a favorite way of shopping sustainably?

I’d love to hear in the comments below!

How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe on Every Budget